LUMINIS: Transforming Light, Art, and Heritage
Presented by: ESPRONCEDA – Institute of Art & Culture
Location: Carrer de Espronceda 326, Nave 4-5, 08027 Barcelona
Opening : December 3, 2024, at 19:00
Finissage: December 7, 2024, at 19:00, Talk with the artist Mario Carlo Iusi and Saverio Teruzzi, founder of Artivazione.
Exhibition Dates: December 4–7, 2024, from 15:30 to 19:00
Visit Information: The gallery will be open daily during the exhibition hours. To visit the gallery, please email info@espronceda.net.
Special Notes: December 4 includes an installation and performance in the Gothic Quarter at 19:00 in collaboration with Drap-Art and the local community
Experience LUMINIS, a groundbreaking exhibition presented by ESPRONCEDA – Institute of Art & Culture and conceptualized by acclaimed artist Mario Carlo Iusi. Funded by the Lazio Contemporaneo 2022 program, this visionary project redefines the way we engage with cultural heritage, merging contemporary art with innovative lighting techniques to bring historical landmarks into a new artistic dimension.
At the heart of LUMINIS is the transformative power of light. By installing LED-lit frames on archaeological and architectural masterpieces, the project reshapes how viewers perceive these historic sites. Key installations include the Polygonal Walls of Alatri and the Cisternoni of Albano Laziale, where Iusi’s innovative luminous frames highlight the grandeur of ancient contexts, blending tradition with cutting-edge contemporary art.
About LUMINIS
LUMINIS is structured along two key lines: luminous installations and a monographic exhibition titled “Semeion”, featuring 40 new works by Mario Carlo Iusi. These pieces, created during the 2020 lockdown, are based on the artist’s Semeion Theory, which uses “simple objects” like points, lines, and shapes to construct complex, evolving artworks. Central to the exhibition is the illuminated pumpkin seed, a recurring motif in Iusi’s work that symbolizes human aspiration and completeness.
The luminous installations highlight the interplay between natural and artificial light, offering viewers a new perspective on the artworks and their surroundings. The exhibition invites visitors to engage with the art, creating a dynamic interaction that transforms each viewing experience.
Collaborations and partnerships
LUMINIS is the result of a collaboration between ESPRONCEDA – Institute of Art & Culture and the renowned Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto, founded by Michelangelo Pistoletto. During an artistic residency at Cittadellarte in 2024, Iusi refined his techniques and concepts, which are now brought to life in this project. The partnership extends to educational workshops and community events, emphasizing sustainability and cultural dialogue.
In Barcelona, LUMINIS is presented in collaboration with the Drap-Art International Festival of Sustainability, connecting luminous installations to themes of environmental awareness and heritage preservation. A key highlight is the December 4 public installation and performance in
the Gothic Quarter, where local communities are actively engaged in the dialogue between art, heritage, and sustainability.
About Mario Carlo Iusi
Born in 1995 in Alatri, Italy, Mario Carlo Iusi is a contemporary artist and philosopher whose work explores the transformative power of light and interaction. A graduate of the University of Rome’s La Sapienza, Iusi is celebrated for his innovative “Interconnessioni” series and his groundbreaking Semeion Theory, which uses simple objects to create dynamic, ever-changing artworks. His luminous installations challenge traditional perceptions of art and invite viewers to become active participants in the creative process.
Join us for LUMINIS, an immersive experience that redefines the boundaries of art and heritage through the transformative power of light.
We look forward to welcoming you to this unique event at ESPRONCEDA – Institute of Art & Culture!
